What Causes a Dry Mouth so Dry That You Cannot Talk?

Dry mouth is a condition that causes many annoyances. One such annoyance is difficulty speaking. Saliva plays an important role in being able to communicate.

Medication

• According to Drymouth.info, more than 1,800 drugs can cause dry mouth. People who take drugs for high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, allergies, weight loss and Parkinson's disease may experience oral dryness. Also, the greater amount of medications a person takes, the more likely it is that dry mouth will occur.

Disease

• Sjögren's syndrome---an autoimmune condition that damages the salivary glands---significantly contributes to dry mouth, reports Drymouth.info. People with diseases such as diabetes and AIDS may also experience dry mouth.

Cancer Treatment

• Cancer treatment can also cause dry mouth, reports the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Radiation therapy for cancer may damage the salivary glands, while drugs used for chemotherapy can make saliva thicker and cause a feeling of oral dryness.

Chewing Problems

• People who have problems chewing may also experience dry mouth---the less the mouth is exercised, the smaller the salivary glands become and less saliva is produced---according to Drymouth.info.

Other Causes

• In addition to the above causes, dry mouth is also the result of nervousness, stress, anxiety and depression.